McBride wrote that the general in command signed his furlough and when he went to get an overcoat, the surgeon canceled the order, stating that since McBride did not have much longer to serve, he should not be allowed to go home.

McBride wanted to go home especially so he could vote "on this comeing Election to maintain the Principles that we have been strugling for & for the Officers that will carry them through."

McBride, of Biddeford, who enlisted on Dec. 13, 1861 at age 25 served until January 6, 1865.